A new Hope in Sterling

They came from all over the country during the summer, representing nearly 20 states, to erect a building for the Hope Chapel community. Members of Builders for Christ banged nails, roofed, shingled and sweat to make the church rise on Chocksett Road.

When they left, the parishioners took over, painting, doing small jobs and becoming construction workers in their own right. Their efforts paid off this past Sunday, when the brand new Hope Chapel opened its doors to the people.

More than 300 celebrants streamed through the front doors and into the gleaming worship center. They were young and old, and they all came to pray together and participate in the dedication service.

“One of the things we are trying to do is get to folks while they are still young. We hope to influence lives early on,” Pastor Neal Davidson said.

A Baptist-based church, the Hope Chapel conducted services at the Chocksett Middle School for three years and nine months before moving to 35 Chocksett Road. At first they worshiped under a tent with dust at their feet, but a new building has emerged from the ashes. It’s a place congregants intend to call home for years to come.

“Being a resident of Sterling, it is my intention to stay right here for a while,” Davidson said. “I believe that our purpose here is two-fold: to help people discover just how much they matter to God, and for them to experience a new relationship with Christ. If we don’t teach those two things, then we are not fulfilling our purpose.”

A typical Sunday morning service at the Hope Chapel is considered fairly non-traditional, informal and contemporary.

“We run about 70 minutes with approximately 20 to 30 minutes of speaking and then a lot of music and announcements. We are hoping to reach those who have stopped expecting much from church. We want them to come back, try again, and learn that there are tremendous 21st century truths to be discovered through a living God,” Davidson said.

The main goal of the church is to be a positive, spiritual influence on the lives of those in Sterling and the surrounding areas.

“We are so thankful for all of the community support we have received. A beautiful bouquet of flowers arrived from the other churches yesterday morning, the red tape was made easier by the locals and the folks of Sterling have been behind us all the way. For that, we are very thankful,” Davidson said.

Pastor Davidson believes their may be a quiet revival starting here in New England, and he would like to see Hope Chapel become a part of making it a bit louder.

“We want to encourage folks to come back to church and shatter their old visions. That starts with discovering God’s love in their lives,” Davidson said. “Our goal is for you to live a fuller life and to discover the spiritual resources to make your world a better place.

“We are not seeking to be cutting edge, but we try to give some impression that we’re in touch with our generation. Our music is not 18th century hymns, but we’re not a rock band either; we are somewhere in between.”

The new building is reflective of a 21st century sensibility with a group of bean bags lining the walls of some of the classrooms, and decorations that run the gamut from a Hawaiian luau to fish swimming across the nursery walls.

More than 300 worshippers turned out for the inaugural service of Hope Chapel on Chocksett Road. Steve King photos Throughout the church you will find notes that read “God’s squad and you are awesome teachers.” Mostly what you see over and over again is the church’s tag line which reads, “When faith meets life, Hope happens.”

From a church that boasted 30 people on their first Sunday evening worship service nearly four years ago to a 3,600-squarefoot building with room for the expected expansion, Hope Chapel is here to stay.

Davidson said the Chocksett Road building is simply a tool to help people strengthen their faith.

Sunday morning services are at 10 a.m. with Sunday school at the same time. Junior high youth group meets at 2 p.m. on Sunday and the senior high youth meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Hope Chapel will hold an open house and dedication service from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 26. Watch The Landmark for more information in the coming weeks.